Upbring to Accept Donation from South Plains Archery Club During Annual Celebration of Lubbock-Area Ministries

Shallowater, Texas – June 8, 2017 – Upbring, one of Texas’ largest foster care and adoption service providers, will host its Seventh Annual Beer & Brats celebration at Biggin Hill Air Park in Shallowater at 5:30 p.m. today. During the event, Upbring supporters on the South Plains will celebrate Upbring programs that directly serve the Lubbock community. The South Plains Archery Club will also present Upbring with a donation benefitting Lubbock-area children served by the Upbring Foster In Texas (FIT) program.

“The Lubbock community is like a family – a family of nearly 250,000 people,” Wood Franklin, who is a member of the Upbring board and South Plains Archery Club,” said. “When our family is in need, we’re there for them. Upbring’s FIT program connects thousands of our Lubbock children with safe, loving homes. South Plains Archery Club is honored to partner with Upbring to make an impact in our neighbor’s lives.”

FIT will use the funds to help Lubbock-area foster families provide food, clothing, school supplies and medical care, as well as normal childhood experiences for the children they welcome into their homes.

In 2016, approximately 30,000 children across Texas were in foster care. The Lubbock region’s share of that number registered 1,833, up from 1,799 2015. On any given day, Upbring serves approximately 45 children through its Lubbock FIT office.

Since 1967, Neighborhood House has provided emergency assistance for food, hygiene products, prescriptions, utility assistance and other necessities to Lubbock residents. In 2016, Neighborhood House delivered nearly 8,000 services to 16,674 people representing 2,543 households.

Health for Friends Clinic provides free health care to qualifying Lubbock residents who cannot afford insurance. Approximately 1,400 people received free screenings and consultations at Health for Friends Clinic during 2016.

Upbring CEO Dr. Kurt Senske said both programs are critical in helping the nonprofit organization achieve its mission to break the cycle of child abuse.

“Strong families are the backbone of vibrant communities,” Senske said. “By walking alongside Lubbock families when they experience financial difficulties, poor health and other life stressors, we allow them to focus on building brighter futures for their children. Because of our supporters on the South Plains, we can continue to deliver these important programs to the people of Lubbock.”

At Upbring, we recognize that children enter the system at different stages of their lives and due to varying life events. Because the types of abuse and neglect vary among children, we are committed to raising the standards and addressing the entire spectrum.

Upbring will accomplish this through an innovative continuum of services and community partnerships, each tracking progress against markers of safety, life skills, education, health and vocation, all of which are critical to breaking the cycle of child abuse.

Strategic Partner - Foundation Communities

We know that foster care placement is 34 times higher for families experiencing homelessness than the general population of same aged children. We know that more than 1 in 5 youth who age out of foster care will become homeless after 18.

Foster families are eligible to apply for financial assistance (based on individual locations).

Join their team! The Y is hiring, with lots of flexible part-time opportunities!

Strategic Partner - Phoenix House

Health. We know that children of parents with substance abuse disorders are 3 times more likely to be abused and 4 timesmore likely to be neglected, making a holistic approach to treatment and recovery optionsthat incorporate family services essential. (Learn more about Phoenix House here.)

Outpatient treatment with individual, group and family counseling for teens struggling withdrug/alcohol abuse.

Strategic Partner - Dell Children's

Health. We know that experiencing multiple traumatic childhood events – being removed from family – and toxic stress are determinants of lifelong disparities in physical and mental health. Access to high-quality, trauma-informed, integrated health care is critical.(Learn more about Dell Children’s programs here)